HO RTR SD45T-2 w/DCC & Sound,SP #9232/1990 Version

Detailed Information

NEW FEATURES FOR ALL SD45T-2S IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT:

First time offering DCC+Sound Version, including new T-2 rear truck design for more visibly see through grilles

All-new LED lighting

First time pilot detail including rubber MU hoses for durability

Photo-etched stainless steel windshield wipers

SSW BICENTENNIAL FEATURES:

LED illuminated headlights and signal lights

Cab mounted Nathan P3 air horn on bracket

Sinclair antenna on antenna plane

Large capacity 4200 gallon fuel tank

Large SP style plow

Large anticlimber

Cab mounted bell

SP style four hole jacking pads

According to Espee’s internal memos, the Bicentennial locomotives were affectionately referred to as “Snowflakes.” These unique and colorful Espee locos appeared quite often separately on company public relation exercises, with #9389 being a part of most helper consists for the Freedom Train, and GP40P-2 #3197 was seen everyday as part of the Peninsular commute fleet. The SP ‘snowflake’ paint schemes were all designed by the late Mr. Chester Mack, famed RR designer.

The first unit painted was Cotton Belt (SSW) #9389. This was chosen as being the 600th SD45 to be built for SP, ie. 590 SD45 including SD45T-2’s and 10 SDP45’s. Evidently it was given basic Bicentennial paint by EMD, then completed by SP when delivered to Taylor Shops in Los Angeles in May of 1975. About the same time, that a Southern Pacific loco should also wear Bicentennial paint, so as the GP40P-2’s were about to be shopped, having done a 6 month break-in service on freight, #3197 was selected to be painted Bicentennial. June 1975 saw #3197 (Bicentennial GP40P-2 offered in Genesis ATHG40858, and ATHG40758) roll out in the patriotic paint. To go along with the theme, SP repainted Caboose 1776 in Bicentennial paint. This was originally a C-40-7 built by International Car Co. in 1967 with roofwalks and end ladders. As painted in Bicentennial scheme in 1975. Look for the C-40-7 Bay Window Caboose next month!

SSW FEATURES:

LED illuminated headlights and signal lights

Nathan P3 air horn

Whip antenna

Cab mounted Gyralight

Large EMD style plow

Small anticlimber

Coupler cut levers no loops

Cab mounted bell

SP FEATURES:

1990s era version with SP light removed and faded paint

Nathan P3 air horn

Sinclair antenna

Large EMD style plows both front and rear

Small anticlimber

Coupler cut levers with loops

Cab mounted bell

Illuminated Strato-lite beacon w/ LED

NREX FEATURES:

Ex SP

Whip antenna

Large EMD style plow

Small anticlimber

Coupler cut levers with loops

#9300:

SP style nose w/ headlight

Cab mounted bell

Illuminated ditchlights

Hood mounted Leslie air horn

Rear MU catch trays

#9308:

Frame mounted bell

Illuminated ditchlights

Rebuilt EMD style nose

Cab mounted headlight

Hood mounted Nathan air horn

No rear MU catch trays

#9323:

SP style nose w/ headlight

Cab mounted bell

Cab mounted 5-chime Nathan air horn

Cab roof A/C knockout panel

Rear MU catch trays

MRL/SRY FEATURES:

Fire-cracker antenna

Large EMD style plow

Small anticlimber

Coupler cut levers with loops

Frame mounted bell

Illuminated ditchlights

Rebuilt EMD style nose

Cab mounted headlight

Hood mounted Nathan air horn

When the Union Pacifc absorbed the Southern Pacific in 1996, a number of SD45T-2 diesels started parting ranks from the parent railroad. While the MRL or the SRY never owned the SD45T-2, there was a time where the railfan community was hopeful that these rag-tag units would find their way to the MRL. Former SP EMD 20-cyl diesels had made it to the MRL in the early 1990s, making this scenario plausible. In the summer of 2004 a group of NREX SD45T-2s were being stored in Livingston, MT. further fueling the hopes of railfans.

As some MRL power migrated to the SRY, it could’ve been possible that the SRY brought an ex MRL SD45T-2 diesel into British Columbia. While none of this happened in real, model railroading allows for bending the rules a bit and admiring what could have been.

LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

Fully assembled and ready-to-run

Rubber trainline and MU hoses with silver ends, first time offered

“Mushroom” nose vent on right side

Separately applied wire grab irons

Standard late Dash-2 4-window/L-window cab without louvers or roof seam per prototype

See through cab windows

Fixed cab side windows

Welded ECAFB

See-through dynamic brake fans

See through radiator grilles with new rear truck gearbox speific for the tunnel motor